Empowering Social Justice by Developing a Feminist Intersectionality Framework to Increase the Inclusiveness of Historical Markers in Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Abstract

A form of activist archaeology is undertaken by conducting critical feminist intersectional research to promote social justice in representations of America’s heritage on historical markers in Detroit and surrounding Wayne County, Michigan, USA. This research substantially alters and expands intersectionality theory to analyze androcentrism, racism and ethnocentrism in historical markers. These biases are addressed with more inclusive information about (1) historical power dynamics between social groups and (2) accomplishments of minorities and women. More inclusive information in historical markers provides social justice for people who were marginalized in the past, and may inspire people working to decrease inequalities and oppressions today.